Burial vault



Patented May l, 1934 STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to burial vaults and one object of the invention is to provide such a vault which will be readily convertible from one type of vault to another.

Burial vaults are now constructed in two types. ln one type, known as the separable unit, the top member is entirely removable from the base member, and in the ot-her, or hinged unit type, the top member is pivotally connected at one end with the base member so that it can be moved to an inclined position to permit the casket to be placed upon the base member. The separable unit vault may be used in either of two ways. The base may be lowered into the grave prior to the ceremonies at the grave and the casket then lowered onto the base during the ceremony and the top member subsequent-ly placed in position, either during or after the ceremony, or the base may be supported on the lowering devices at the top of the grave, the casket placed in position thereon and the top member then placed about the casket and the vault then lowered into the grave, all during the ceremony.

Either method of use requires that the pall bearers bearing the casket shall walk close to the edge of the grave with danger of the earthcaving in due to the weight imposed thereon, and when the second method is employed it is necessary for the top member of the vault to be located close to the grave and to be lifted by the pall carers and placed about the casket after the latter has been placed in position on the base.

This causes much inconvenience and an awkward delay in the ceremony.

When the hinge type vault is used the vault as a whole is placed upon the lowering device at the top of the grave and the top member is moved to and supported in an inclined position so that the pall bearers may place one end of 40 the casket upon the end of the base and then slide the same into position beneath the top member, after which the top member may be quickly and easily lowered to its final position.

The particular method used may depend, in part at least, upon the condition at the grave but vaults as usually constructed are either of the separable type or of the hinge type and cannot be converted from one to the other. Consequently vaults of both types must be carried in stock and after a vault has been selected it cannot be changed from one type to the other, regardless of the desirability of such a change.

It is therefore a further object of myV inven tion to provide a burial Vault of such a character that it can be quickly and easily converted from the hinge type to the separable type, or vice versa, and will be automatically locked in its closed position when used in either form.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple efjcient means for pvotally con- 6U. necting the top member to the base which will be of such a character that the top member may be quickly and easily separated from the base by a person not skilled in mechanics and without the use of special tools.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a hinged vault showing the top member in its inclined position; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of a portion of the base member; Fig. 3 is a sectional detail of one of the locking devices, showing the means for pivotally connecting the same with the top member; and Fig. 4 is a detail View of the pivotal connection between the locking device and the top member showing the latter in its inclined position.

In the drawing I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown the same as applied to a burial vault the main features of construction of which are well known. It will be understood, however, that this particular embodiment has been chosen for the purpose of illustration only and that the invention may take various forms and may be applied to vaults of Various kinds. The vault here illustrated is formed of sheet metal but it may be made of any suitable material.

The vault here shown comprises a base member 5 the top of which is preferably flat to receive the casket and may, if desired, be provided with rollers, as shown at 6. The platform or at top of the base is supported by downwardly extending walls 7 having at their lower edges outwardly extending flanges 8 the outerV portions of which are inclined upwardly, as shown at 9, so as to provide the side and end walls of the base member with channels along the lower edges thereof. The top member 10 of the vault is closed at its sides, ends and top and is of such a size that the edges of the vertical walls thereof will extend about the base and thus enclose the casket on the base. The lower edges of the side and end walls of the top member are provided with inwardly extending anges 11, the inner portions of which are turned downwardly to form lips 12 adapted to enter the channels formed about the base to thus position the top member with relation to the base and to form a tight connection between the two parts. Locking devices are provided to automatically V20 against which the spring bears.

lation thereto.

lock the top member on the base when it is placed in position thereon, these locking devices being of such a character that they may be secured in inoperative positions when it is desired to place the top member temporarily on the base. Preferably the locking devices are carried by the base and are in the nature of spring pressed bolts the outer ends of which project above and in locking relation to the inwardly extending flanges 11 of the top member. When the top member is lowered onto the base member the part 12 of the flange l1 will engage the inclined portion 9 of the base ange 8, thus guiding the top member into proper position with relation to the base and causing the side walls thereof to be spaced substantially equal distances from the base so that the several bolts will have equal locking engagement with the top member. Further, this arrangement of the flanges prevents any possibility of one side wall of the top member passing outside of the base flange and insures the proper` connection between the top member and the base.

To apply the convertible feature to a burial vault of the type above described, I provide means for pivotally connecting one end of the top member with the adjacent end of the base, the connecting means being of such a character that the top member may be separated from the base so as to be controlled only by the locking devices. Preferably the top member is indirectly hinged to the base and to this end the locking devices at the hinged end of the base are utilized as parts of the pivotal connection. Any number of these locking devices may be used. Preferably there are two of them at each end of the base and, if desired, one or more locking devices may be located along the sides of the base.

In the present construction the two locking devices at the hinged end of the base are utilized as part of the means for pivotally connecting the top member to the base member. Each of these locking devices is here shown as a bolt 13 slidably mounted on the base 6 and as having its outer end beveled, as shown at 14, for engagement by the inwardly extending flange of the top member. The bolt may be movably mounted on the base in various ways but I prefer to mount the same in a housing l5 which is rigidly secured in the base beneath the top wall thereof and in one corner of the base. This housing is here shown as comprising a vertical side wall, upper and lower edge walls and an inner end wall. The outer end and the other side of the housing may be open. The housing is rigidly secured to the lbase with the open side thereof against one of the side walls of the base and with the open outer end thereof in line with the opening 15 in the end wall of the base, through which the bolt 13 extends. The upper edge wall of the housing has a longitudinal slot 17, the outer end of which is closed, and the bolt has a part, such as a lug 18, on the upper side thereof, which extends into this slot and contacts with the closed outer end thereof to positively limit the outward move- Vment of the bolt. A spring 19 is conned between the inner end of the housing and the bolt to press the same into its outer or operative position. In the present instance, the bolt is hollow and has an intermediate partition or transverse member A rod 21 extends through the rear wall of the housing, through the spring and is connected with the bolt for movement therewith and for rotation with re- 'Ihe inner or rear end of the rod 21 extends transversely thereto to form a handle 22 by means of which the bolt may be retracted against the action of the spring. When the bolt has been retracted the rod may be rotated to bring the handle into engagement with a pin 23 which retains both the handle and the bolt in their retracted positions.

The outer end or nose of the bolt may be pivotally connected with the adjacent end portion of the top member of the vault in various ways. In the present instance, the end of the bolt overlaps a pivot lug 24 which is carried by the top member of the vault and the bolt is pivotally connected with the lug by a pivot pin 25 which is readily removable therefrom and is, in the present instance, retained therein by means of a cotter pin 26. The lug 24 is detachably secured to the top member and, as here shown, it is shaped to fit into the angle between the vertical wall of the top member and the flange at the bottom of the top member and is provided with a laterally extending portion or iiange 27 which is apertured to receive a screw 28 inserted through the fla-nge il of the top member. The lug is thus rigidly secured to the top member but is easily removed therefrom by merely removing the screw 28, which is readily accessible from the exterior of the vault. It will be noted that the bolt can be pivotally connected with the lug and the top member only when the bolt is in its operative or projected position and overhangs the flange 11. With the parts thus connected the opposite end of the top member may be elevated to the inclined position shown in Fig. 1 and may be retained in this position by any suitable supporting device. As here shown, struts 29 are pivotally connected at their lower ends to lugs 30 mounted at the sides of the base near one end thereof. Each strut has a longitudinal slot 31 to receive a pin 32 extending inwardly from the side wall of the top member and at the free end of each strut this slot has an offset portion, as shown at 33, which may be caused to embrace the pin 32, and thus support the top member in its nclined position. To lower the top member onto the base it is only necessary to slightly lift the top member, move the struts to their released positions, and then lower the top member, the pins 32 traveling along the slots 31 and the struts folding alongside of the base when the top member is lowered into its final position on the base. The bolts will be engaged by the flanges 11, forced inwardly against the action of their springs and will then snap over the flange to loci: the top member onto the base.

When it is desired to convert the vault from the hinge type to the separable type the locking devices, other than those which form part of the pivotal connections, are retracted and secured in their retracted position and the top member lowered onto the base. The screws 28 are then removed, thus detaching the pivot lugs 24 from the top member. The bolts which are connected with the pivot lugs are then retracted against the action of their springs and secured in their retracted positions. The pivot lugs move rearwardly with the bolts and ride over the inclined surface of the iiange 11 and may swing upwardly about the nose of the bolt, so that when the top member is moved upwardly the ange 11, will move past both the bolts and the lugs, thus permitting the top member to be removed. The pivot pins 25 are then withdrawn and the pivot lugs removed'. The struts 29 are also removed. When this has been done the vault constitutes a separable unit and may be used in the usual way. It will be obvious that ifA it isv desired to| reconvert the vault into a hinged unit this may be done by replacing the parts which have been removed.

The only openings which it is necessary to form in the top member in order to apply my invention to the vault are the openings in the flange 11 for the screws 28. These openings are so located that they are not visible when the vault is in its closed position or when the top member is tilted to its open position and therefore do not detract from the appearance of the vault. Further, they are located close to the lower edge of the base and in such a position with relation to the lower edge of the top member that the air seal is not impaired.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it toobe understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications thereof may occur to a person skilled in the art.

I-Iaving now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a burial vault comprising a base member and a top member, means for pivotally connecting one end of said top member to the adjacent end of said base member to permit said top member to be moved to an inclined position with relation to said base member, said connecting means comprising a part operable from the exterior of said vault for disconnecting said members to permit said top member to be removed from said base member.

2. In a burial vault comprising a base member, a top member, and a device connected with one end of one of said members for movement into a position overhanging an adjacent part of the second member, means for pivotally connecting said device with said second member when said device is in said overhanging position and for disconnecting the same therefrom, and means for moving said device from said overhanging position when it has been disconnected from said second member.

3. In a burial vault comprising a base member, a top member, and a device connected with one end of one of said members for movement into a position overhanging an adjacent part of the second member, a pivot lug carried by said second member, means for pivotally connecting said movable device with said lug when said device is in said overhanging position, and means for detaching said pivot lug from said second member to enable said movable device and said pivot lug to be moved out of overhanging relation to said part of said second member.

4. In a burial vault comprising a base member, a top member, and a locking device mounted on one end of one of said members for movement into and out of locking relation to the second member, means for pivotally connecting said locking device with said second member to permit said top member to be moved to an inclined position with relation to said base member and for disconnecting said second member from said locking device to permit said top member to be removed from said base member.

5, In a burial vault comprising a base member, a top member, and a locking -device movably mounted on said base member and arranged normally in locking relation to said top member, a part pivotally connected with said locking device, means for detachably securing said part to said top member, and means for retracting saidlocking device and said part-when thelatter has been detached from said top-member..

6. In a burial vault comprising a base member, a top member, and a locking device mounted on said base member for movement into and out of locking; relation to said top member, a pivot lug carried by said topmemben'removable means for pivotally connecting said lug with said locking device when-the latter is in its locking position, means for detachably securing saidlug to said top member, and means for retracting said locking device and said. lug to permit said top member to be removed from said base member when said lug has been detached from said top member.

7. In a burial vault comprising av base member, a top member, and a locking device mounted on said base member for movement into and out of locking. relation to said top member., means for pivotally connecting said top member with said locking device when the latter is-in its locking position, and means to positively limit the outward movement of said locking device with relation to said base member, said connectingA means including a part which is removable `to disconnect said top member from said locking device and permit the latter to be moved to an inoperative position.

8. In a burial vault comprising a base member and a top member, a housing rigidly secured to said base member at one end thereof and having a longitudinal slot which is closed at its outer end, a bolt slidably mounted in said housing and having a part extending into said slot and adapted to engage the closed end thereof and limit the outward movement of said bolt, a spring acting on said bolt to move the same into locking relation to said top member, means for pivotally connecting said top member with said bolt when the latter is in its locking position and for disconnecting said top member from said bolt, and means for retracting said bolt against the action of said spring when it has been disconnected from said top member.

9. In a convertible burial vault comprising a base member, a top member, and a locking device mounted at one end of said base member for movement into and out of locking relation to said top member, means for pivotally connecting said top member with said locking device while said locking device is in its locking position to permit said top member to be moved to an inclined position with relation to said base member, said connecting means including a part which is removable to disconnect said locking device from said top member and permit the latter to be removed from said base member when said locking devices have been moved out of locking relation to said top member.

10. A burial vault comprising a base member having at its lower edge an outwardly extending ange the outer portion of which is inclined upwardly, a closed top member having at its lower edge an inwardly extending flange, the inner portion of which is turned downwardly to engage the inclined portion of the base flange, a bolt slidably mounted in said base portion for movement into locking position above the iiange on said top member, and detachable means for hinging said top member to said bolt.

11. A burial vault comprising a base member having at its lower edge an outwardly extending ange the outer portion of which is inclined upwardly, a closed top member having at its lower edge an inwardly extending flange, the inner f portion of which is turned downwardly to engage the inclined portion of the base flange, a bolt slidably mounted in said base portion for movement into locking position above the flange on said top member, a pivot lug arranged within said top member and having a part engaging the flange thereof, a screw extending through the iiange of said top member and engaging said pivot lug to detachably secure the same to said top member, and means pivotally connecting said lug with said bolt.

12. A burial vault comprising a base member having at its lower edge an outwardly extending fiange the outer portion of which is inclined upwardly, a closed top member having at its lower edge an inwardly extending ange, the inner portion of which is turned downwardly to engage the inclined portion of the base flange, a bolt slidably mounted in said base portion for movement into locking position above the flange on said top member, a lug arranged within said top member and pivotally connected with said bolt, the flange of said top member having an opening therethrough on a level with or below the highest portion of said flange, and a fastening device extending through said opening to secure said lug to said top member.

13. In a convertible burial vault, a base member, a top member and a locking device mounted at one end of said base member for movement into and out of locking relation to said top member, a pivot lug carried by that end of said top member adjacent to said locking device, means for pivotally connecting said lug with said locking device, and means for detachably securing said pivot lug to said top member when said locking device is in its operative position, whereby when said pivot lug is detached from said top member said locking device and said pivot lug may be withdrawn to permit the removal of said top member from said base member.

14. In a burial vault comprising a base member and a top member, pivotally connected parts secured to the respective vault members at one end of said vault to permit said top member to be moved to an inclined position with relation to said base member, and means for disconnecting one of said parts from its vault member to permit said top member to be removed bodily from said base member.

HERBERT S. MUSTIN. 

